Originally Posted by
Smoke mountain
Ok mate, then that wa**er who is feeding me updates is useless, Cheers mate..
Here a more valuable update... but bear in mind plans change, especially in aviation!
Positive:
- Fleet expansion (as by management) until 2023: all A330 and all A320 and A321 staying, total 28 airplanes. Adding 10x 787-900 (6 further options) by end of 2020: 3 delivered, 2 more by end 2018. 2 in 2019 and 3 in 2020. Further 12 A320Neo (2 this year) and 17 A321Neo over the next 5 years until end 2023. Total by 2023: 67 airframes. (Rumours of 330Neo or A350 being swapped for remaining 787 orders)
- Decent salary, although it could do with an update considering the rising costs and inflation. Locals, have been leaving in recent years but most stick around. Expats don't stick around for the salary, but for the lifestyle and life in Bahrain.
- Fleet transfers are on going, long term career perspective looks good at the moment.
Downside (room for improvement 😉
:
- Gulf Air is never fully crewed, almost no standby cover, resolved with volunteers working days off and leave cancellations, unstable rosters with many changes as a result. Leave cancellations are the rule, not the exception especially during peak periods, therefore you can never plan a holiday with family.
- Work is to the max of FDP with absolute minimum days off as required by law 8 days off in 28 days on a rolling average. Schedules often not taking circadian rhythms into consideration, jumping between morning, night, day and evening flights. 3 long night turnaround flights followed by a next morning early morning start is not uncommon! As long as it is legal on paper. Expect no common sense, if it's legal you're expected to be able to do it and be well rested to operate to the maximum of the allowable FDP.
- You're a number in the scheduling game, there is hardly appreciation for Human Factors Performance and Limitations (Fatigue Risk Management System FRMS is not implemented, yet), as mentioned if it is legal on paper you're expected to be able to do it. Schedules are often extremely tough on A320 with lots of night flights and or 4 sector days.
- Massive expansion planned, more than doubling the fleet size in 5 years, without a proper recruitment drive. DEC stopped/not advertised for time being, focus on internal upgrade, DEFO (returning Bahraini) and Bahraini semi sponsored cadets through Tamkeen. However falling far short in training capacity at the moment.
- Command Upgrades are stalled due extreme shortage of First Officers, most are maxed out on hours and don't be surprised to see 2 and 3 Captains operating together.
- Contract is not respected by the company, leaves are cancelled at will and details like place of recruitment have been changed on renewal for expat pilots, be careful.
- Being sick is penalised by the company with planned/assigned days off being removed as per a pro-ration schedule.
If looking for a stable lifestyle and being able to plan and have quality time at home and with family on holidays, then Gulf Air is not the place to be and it doesn't look promising that it will change any time soon due to the shortages and expansion plans. Bahrain is a lovely place to live and Gulf Air potentialy an amazing company to work for, once they fill the seats, as the colleagues are great and the atmosphere good.
Happy landings,
Force